NOTE: Confined Space is back after a short 10-year break and can now be found at: Confined Space.WHAT IS THIS?

Workplace issues, Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), Workplace Safety, Public Health, Environment and Political Information that everyone should know.

What happens inside the Beltway matters outside the Beltway.

That's why they try to keep it secret.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Globalization Health and Safety Conference Announcement

I don't do a whole lot of conference promotion on this site (unless I'm speaking there), but this one looks too good to pass up. If you're in the neighborhood, or can get there, try to attend

Workplace Health and Safety in the Global EconomyApril 29-30, 2005University of Oregon, Eugene

Globalization means working conditions in developing and industrial countries are more and more interconnected, and OHS practitioners, labor activists, and researchers need to talk about it.

The University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center is hosting a conference on OHS and labor issues in the globalized economy to promote this discussion and share technical, political, and organizing skills and resources across borders and continents. Health and safety professionals, labor and NGO activists, corporate officials, and researchers from Latin America, Asia, South Africa, US, Canada, and Europe will gather at the two-day working conference to address "needs, barriers, and signs of progress" in the area of working conditions and labor rights and to highlight projects around the world that provide examples of effective action and continuing needs. The conference will provide ample networking opportunities for practitioners, activists, and researchers. The conference will commemorate Worker Memorial Day during lunch on April 29.

Sessions include:

OHS Prevention Programs in the Informal Sector

Global Corporate Programs: Best Practices and Barriers

Regulation and Enforcement in the Global Semiconductor Industry

Immigration, Migration, and OHS

Gender Issues In OHS In Developing Countries

Trade agreements, public health, and occupational health

Speakers include:

Ellen Rosskam, ILO

Harley Shaiken, UC-Berkeley

Monina Wong, Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee

Cathy Walker, Canadian Auto Workers Union

Andrew Watterson, Univ. of Stirling

Julia Quinonez, Comite Fronterizo de Obreras (Mexico)

Deanna Robinson, Gap, Inc.

Homero Fuentes, Coverco (Guatemala)

Kalpona Akter, Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity

Garrett Brown, Maquiladora Health and Safety Support Network

Maggie Robbins, Hesperian Foundation

Cosponsors:ILO Programme on Socio-Economic SecurityWayne Morse Center for Law and PoliticsMaquiladora Health and Safety Support NetworkNational Council for Occupational Safety and Health